Earlier this month, my sister finally launched her Etsy shop, Turner & Leigh, where she sells a selection of handmade jewelry, including this gorgeous leather wrap bracelets (skull necklaces like this one to be added soon). I have a few of them and they seem to go with every outfit I put together.

Also, if you read my previous blog post, you know that I have been obsessed with animal prints, so when Love sent me this dress a few weeks ago, I knew I had to share it with you. Paired with my favourite boyfriend blazer and chain accessories, I thought it looked chic, yet a little bit edgy. What do you reckon? I'd love your opinion!

17/01/2012

Happy new year, everyone ! Having just bid farewell to 2011, I thought now would be a perfect time to share with you a few fashion and beauty items that really stood out for me and made my life just that little bit more exciting, over the past 12 months.

It Bag - My Mulberry Oversized Alexa bag has not left my arm since my sister gave it to me, on my 20th birthday, back in October 2010. It goes with everything, makes any outfit instantly more stylish and is just the perfect size to carry around my everyday essentials. To take a peek at what’s in my bag, click here!

Summer Style - With my parents living only five minutes away from the beach, it is rare for me to properly dress up during the hotter months and last year was no exception. I mainly spent last summer in a bikini, bright-coloured shorts, a loose tank top, gladiator sandals and a pair of Ray-Ban Aviators. One trend I had lots of fun with, though, is colour blocking, which I featured in one of my outfits of the day, back in August. Click here to take a look!

Skinnies - After testing a few high-end denim brands, such as Levi's and 7 for All Mankind, I am not ashamed to say that 2011 saw me remain faithful to my trusty New Look super skinnies. They look great, are very comfortable and I don’t have to limit myself to a couple of pairs, because they are ridiculously affordable.

Sequins - I am addicted to sequins, which I’m pretty sure you’ve all figured out by now! Sequined dresses, such as this gorgeous little number by Motel, have occupied a place of choice in my wardrobe, this past year. I have dressed them up, dressed them down, and you’ve seen me wear them on my birthday, at blogging events and even to work. Who ever said sequins could only come out at night was seriously clueless in the style department…

Prints - Dresses, tops, belts, bags, shoes - animal prints have totally invaded my wardrobe, this year! I have also developed a soft spot for Chevron prints, notably on accessories, like scarves and tights. They’ve even made their way onto my business cards!

Jewellery - I adore chunky jewellery and rarely leave the house without my Michael Kors watch and - at least - one of my chain necklaces. In 2011, I’ve really enjoyed pairing them with more understated pieces, such as a delicate wrap bracelet, a short pendant or a set of extra thin bangles. I find it makes a nice contrast and gives a feminine edge to my outfits.

Skincare - I have been using Clinique extra mild face soap and Dramatically Different lotion for years and added Bobbi Brown hydrating eye cream to my regimen, a few months ago. It’s a trio that works pretty well for me. However, like most girls, I do get bored using the same products all the time and one of my New Year’s resolutions for 2012 is to experiment more with skincare. Exfoliants, masks, brighteners… I cannot wait to share my best finds with you all !

Bath & Body - I tried Philosophy products for the first time in 2011 and instantly fell in love with them, especially the bath and shower gels. Other products I have used consistently, this year, are Soap and Glory Righteous Butter, Lush It's Raining Men and Snow Fairy shower gels, and more recently, The Body Shop Spiced Vanilla and Candied Ginger scrubs and body butters

Hair - I have been using the TRESemmé 24 Hour Body range religiously, since I discovered it in my local Superdrug, last year. My favourite product of the line is by far the Dusting Powder, which helps lift my roots and give volume to my otherwise painfully flat, straight hair.

Perfume - Without being a perfume junky, I must admit to owning quite a few perfumes. Yet, I find myself going back to Stella In Two Peony and Marc Jacobs’ Daisy, year after year. These are respectively the best Autumn/Winter and Spring/Summer fragrances - though after recently testing Prada Candy, I have a sneaky feeling it might become my favourite perfume of 2012… Only time will tell!

Make-Up Brushes - Sigma brushes are a great alternative to the likes of MAC, if you are looking for good quality make-up brushes. I have used them pretty much every single day, in 2011, and I can’t imagine doing my make-up without them.

Face - Although I am not one to wear foundation on a daily basis, I do use concealer most days. Trick and Treatment, by Soap and Glory, has been a life saver, this past year, helping me fake a 12 hours sleep, when in fact, I was still packing for a photo shoot at 10.30 pm and had a 5 am wake-up call the day after. It is a product that I can definitely see myself repurchasing, many times again.

Cheeks - Benefit Hoola has been my bronzer of choice for years and it has remained a favourite of mine throughout 2011. For blusher, I have found myself reaching for my MAC Pink Power Mineralize Skin Finish a lot, over the Summer. I have also really enjoyed By Terry Bronze Expert blush, in Copper Sand, in Autumn and Winter. Other cheek products that deserve a honourable mention include Sleek Rose Gold and ELF Peachy Keen blushes, VIVO baked bronzer in Sun Kiss, MAC My Paradise cheek powder, MAC Stereo Rose mineralize skin finish and Benefit Moon Beam highlighter.

Eyes - Despite owning a ridiculous number of eye shadows, I am ashamed to say that I have pretty much used my custom-made MAC palette and my Urban Decay Naked palette, every day. My look of choice, in 2011, was a subtle wash of colour all over the lid, with a strong black winged liner, as seen here. I mostly used gel liner, but on the occasions I wore pencil eyeliner, I fully relied on my Urban Decay's 24/7 Glide-On Pencils. They have the best staying power and the colours are simply mesmerizing! For mascara, I am happy to report that I have discovered a new staple, this year : Clinique High Impact Mascara. Not only does it thicken my lashes, it also holds the curl like no other. RESULT!

Lips - I have really enjoyed experimenting with lipstick, this year. When I was not wearing one of my favourite nudes, I was most likely rocking bright pinks or deep berry colours. Some of my all time favourite shades are Estée Lauder Crystal Baby, MAC Hue, Crème d'Nude, Patisserie, Chatterbox and Media and Barry M Punky Pink. As for lip glosses, I more or less remained faithful to Jemma Kidd's Petal, Philosophy Sparkling Cranberry, Barry M Toffee and Revlon’s Pink Pop.

2011 has been an amazing year, both for me and for my blog. If you had told me when I was typing away in my uni room, that I would be attending events, meeting with fellow bloggers and that people would actually recognise me as the face behind Elle Yeah, I would have referred you to the nearest mental institution!

I am so incredibly grateful for the amazing opportunities that have come my way, this year. Thank you all for making 2011 a fantastic blogging year and let’s make 2012, at least, twice as fun!

24 years ago, my parents decided to call me Elodie. Born and raised on the French Riviera, I am now living in London where I interned for some well-known British publications including The Times, Stylist, Marie Claire, Company and Harper's Bazaar, whilst completing my MA at Central Saint Martins. I am now working as a fashion journalist and my life is a fair mix of everything you can find on this blog - and so much more!

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